Last weekend The Engineer and I drove over to Ohakune to attempt the Tongariro crossing. We were joined by my older sister Kerry and brother-in-law Dave (fitness gurus)

The engineer, me, sister Kerry and brother-in-law Dave battling the weather!

who drove up from Wellington. We got up at the crack of dawn on Saturday to find the weather had deteriorated and it was raining and windy. However, having travelled so far we were determined to do some of the crossing. We drove to the Mangatapopo end and began the walk. We did the hardest part, climbing for over an hour straight up to the craters. The wind then became so strong we worried about our safety, so we turned back and trekked to the car.  We did meet some trampers, who were seriously ill-prepared for a walk in such conditions! However the walk did test my new tramping boots and give me an idea of my lack of preparation for next Easter’s Milford track walk! Next day more excitment, as while watching the All Black-French test, Ohakune had a power cut! We had to rely on my son-in-law, Adam’s text updates! Not the same. We returned to Havelock North in time to watch the replay!